What is the common name for the second-largest political party in the House of Commons?

Okay, so in the UK's political system, the party with the most Members of Parliament (MPs) usually forms the government. But what about the *second* largest party? Well, that party takes on a crucial role: it's known as the Opposition. Think of it as the government's main challenger. Their job is to scrutinize the government's policies, propose alternative ideas, and basically hold them accountable. They form a "shadow cabinet," mirroring the actual cabinet, with shadow ministers examining the work of each government minister. The term "Opposition" is used because they are *opposing* the policies and actions of the ruling party. It's a fundamental part of the UK's parliamentary democracy, ensuring that there's always a strong voice questioning the government and offering different perspectives. The other options are incorrect because the Senate is part of the US political system, the Lords refers to the House of Lords, and the Other Side is just a colloquial term.